Tumors inside the eye, often called ocular tumors, do not occur frequently, but when they do occur, they will typically grow on the colored part of the eye called the iris, or in the back of the eye. In the beginning, most ocular tumors do not exhibit any symptoms, but symptoms will usually appear as the tumor grows. Knowing the symptoms of ocular tumors may help detect the tumor so that appropriate treatment can follow.
Pupil Abnormalities
Typically, the dark center of the eye, called the pupil has a perfectly round shape. However, if a tumor affects the iris, this may cause the pupil to have an abnormal shape, states the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center. In most cases, this results from tumors that grow on the iris. The appearance of the iris and pupil will vary depending on the extent of the tumor and its location. As an example, when looking at the affected eye, the person may notice that the iris appears to have a missing section.
Vision Changes
An ocular tumor may causes changes in vision, such as blurriness, explains the National Cancer Institute. In tumors that grow on the iris, vision changes may result from the tumor blocking out part of the vision. Tumors that grow on the back of the eye may result in vision changes for other reasons. The retina, the back lining of the eye, plays an important role in how well a person sees images. When a tumor grows in this sensitive tissue, vision may appear distorted or blurry.
Increased Eye Pressure
In an eye without disease, the eye maintains a balance of fluid entering and leaving the eye, creating a relatively stable eye pressure with minimal fluctuations. If a tumor grows inside the eye, the pressure will increase, causing a condition known as glaucoma. In a person without an ocular tumor, glaucoma does not typically cause noticeable symptoms until many years after the disease damages the optic nerve. However, an ocular tumor may cause a sharp increase in pressure. This may cause redness to the white of the eye, as well as pain and nausea, notes the National Cancer Institute. Such symptoms require immediate attention since the sudden increase in pressure may cause further damage to the eye.
